FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today life as I knew it changed. Both my kids are in school all day. Kaitlyn started Intermediate school. She is a 5th grader. Now she gets to change classes, and sit where she wants at lunch. Her favorite part is the locker. I guess that was cool when you first got one. She feels like a big girl now. She met some knew friends and saw some old ones. All in all she had a great day. Jack started kindergarten. Where does the time go? I cannot believe he is in elementary school. It seems like just yesterday I was taking Kaitlyn to kindergarten. He did great. He was tired when he got home, and I guess school makes you hungry because he has not stopped eating since 3:00 this afternoon. He said he had a good day, and he likes his teacher. He also made some new friends, but when I asked their names he said "I forgot." I guess we will learn them in time. Both of the kids made it to class with no tears or break downs. I wish I could say the same for me. I at least made it to the car before I broke down. So no one else could see me. I told myself I would not cry today, but we got in the car to leave and butterfly kisses was on. I quickly changed that to a song about dancing with daddy. I settled on sports radio for the short drive. Why is it that when you are already sad there's always one of those songs on the radio? I am just glad the first day is over and without tears from the kids!! Now we get to go to bed and start all over :)! Hopefully we will get into the routine soon.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

It seems like I just posted this from last year. Time goes by so fast. So it has been another year, and it has had some good days and some bad. I have to say that each year that goes by makes me feel more blessed. I have a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally. Even on those bad days when I am not that lovable. Kris likes to say that I tricked him. Back in high school I used to scratch his back and was so sweet. I like to say I grew up, had 2 kids, and figured out I didn't have to do these things for him to love me. I think I am still sweet, but some days he may disagree. It is hard to believe that we have been together for 12 years (married 9). My how we have changed. We may not have done everything the traditional way, but I wouldn't change a thing!! I love my little family. This past year my parents celebrated their 30th anniversary. It is so nice to see that staying married is possible. It seems like the odds are stacked against you these days. I am grateful for their example, and hope to be there one day too. It may not always be easy, but it is so worth it. At the end of the day Kris comes home from work to me and the kids. We eat dinner and watch a show or play outside. Some might say how boring. I say I am lucky!! So thank you Kris for always being there. For always making me feel special and beautiful. I love you more and more everyday. And I appreciate all you do for our family. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.

Jack Plays T-Ball

  Jack had his first T-Ball game last week. He plays with some of his friends from school. It is going to take some getting used to. Everyone bats and everyone scores. There are no outs. I think this is kind of confusing, but they all seem to have fun. We are a competitive family though so this is not our mentality. Oh well it's YMCA and they have no idea what they are doing anyway. Jack played 3rd base and he does not understand that he is supposed to stand on the base after the hit so that the others can throw it to him. When I was trying to tell him he would look at me like I was stupid and explain that he did not have the ball. "I only go to the base when I have the ball." After the third time of trying I gave up. He will learn I guess, and I learned my lesson about stressing the kids out after Kait's first attempt at soccer. Yes, I was the crazy mom who ran up and down the sidelines yelling "Just kick the ball!!!" She did not kick the ball, I looked crazy, and she did not want to continue her soccer career. Lesson learned!! And a lot of others got a good laugh at my expense. I told you I am a little competitive. Jack did great he had 2 good hits and stopped a couple of grounders. Way to go Jack!! He also enjoyed playing with friends.

This is Jack waiting for his turn to bat. I think the water jug in the dugout was a bigger hit than the game itself.

Here is Jack sliding home. This was necessary why? Not sure. Maybe it was all the pressure of the catcher they don't have, maybe he thought he would be out (there are no outs), or maybe he's a boy and thought this stain will be really hard for mom to get out YEA!! So far baseball has been a hit. I just hope I can keep myself in check so he won't give up to soon, and I won't be known as that crazy mom again. His little team is the Red Raiders (Linda you should appreciate that). 

Family Vacation
Jamaica 2009

We just got back from Ocho Rios, Jamaica for our annual family vacation. It was a blast. The beach in Jamaica is beautiful and crystal clear. Jack actually swam in the ocean this year. Kait has always loved the ocean, but Jack has always liked the pool better. This year we only swam in the pool twice during the whole vacation. Jack even snorkeled a little. The pictures above are from a place called Dunns River Falls. It is absolutely beautiful. I have never seen anything like it. We hiked up 600 feet of water falls. It was cold water and we had to walk hand in hand up the falls which was difficult with the kids, but there were stops along the way. Slides out of the rocks. It was a lot of fun. Jack liked it for a while, but the cold water got to him at the end. We also snorkeled near the hotel.  This was a first for me. I am a little chicken of the ocean. Okay I am a big chicken. I am afraid of sharks. Silly I know, but I just think that if I do finally give in and swim that Jaws will find me. I did it though and Jaws did not get me. It was actually really cool. There was a reef straight out from the hotel and as far down the beach as you could see. This kept the waves down to almost nothing, and Kris told Jack it also kept the sharks out. So he went with us to snorkel. The water was about 6 feet deep and as clear as glass. We saw sea snakes, sea urchins, sting rays, blow fish, and other little things. I only looked around for jaws a few times through the excursion. We ate a ton as usual, watched some really cool shows, danced at the beach party, and just enjoyed being together. This year it was the usual 11 of us. My parents, Amy & Jason, Kris, the kids, and I, Uncle Mike and his 2 kids. Then we also added Mike's fiance (happened during the trip ahhh...) and her 2 kids. There were 14 of us in all. The 6 kids got along great, and that allowed us to watch them play while laying out on the beach. You can't beat that. We played a lot of volleyball, and of course beat a lot of people. It was great until I jammed the hell out of my toe. It was black and blue the rest of the trip. That didn't stop the volleyball though. It did stop me from being a good defensive player. It is nice to be home, but I have been looking for the buffet all day and cannot find it. I guess I become the maid, cook (don't listen to Kris), entertainer, and chauffeur all in one again. Can't wait until next year!!!

4th Grade Graduation

Kaitlyn graduated from 4th grade on Wednesday. Yes they now have graduation for kindergarten, 4th grade, and high school. She is now officially a 5th grader in intermediate school. That just makes me feel old. They had a sweet ceremony with a slide show that I made. I put together pictures of all of the 4th graders (154) in cap and gown and then got some kinder pics also. It turned out really cute, but if I ever say that I will make a video like that again please slap me!! I am a glutton and always offer to do more than I should. Though I am glad that I get the chance to be a part of Kaitlyn's activities. Above are some pictures of Kait with her friends, and the little boy that was her 1st "boyfriend." I made her get him so I could have a picture of her 1st "love." Even though it was a short lived relationship. Lasted all of 2 or 3 days. Now if I can just figure out how to keep her relationships like that. I have to say he is a cute boy and very well mannered. It is hard to believe she is getting so old. I am scared of the teenage years to come, but I have enjoyed watching her change over the last 10 years. I am sure it will be just as fun to see the changes over the next 10. Hopefully not as fast though. Things change so fast it seems like just yesterday she was Jack's age starting school. I truly am grateful for my children they are such a special gift, and I thank God for trusting them to me. 

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you! There are days when I feel overwhelmed at being a mom. Days when I would like to retire the name "mom." But being a mom is a gift I am grateful for. I have been blessed with 2 beautiful children. Both very active, and both very different. Kaitlyn is extremely self sufficient. She can do anything she wants, and will if I do not do it fast enough. Like the letter she sent to Kim Dawson modeling agency posing as me, and in the process making me look like an illiterate red neck. She can wear me out mentally. Kaitlyn loves to talk. I am not sure where that comes from :). But there are days I tell her that she has reached her word limit for the day. Though I am sure with the teenage years fast approaching  we will have our battles. She is a precious gift from God. She is such a beautiful girl inside and out. She is funny, beautiful, smart, and athletic like her daddy. Jack is the sweetest boy. He still loves to cuddle up with his momma and if Kris pretends to use karate on me, jack is the first one to my defense. He is all boy though if it doesn't jump out and bite him he will not find it. I also think he would be content to let me wipe him until college. The self sufficient part did not pass down to sweet little Jack. He thinks he is a monkey and my couches are basically a jungle gym for his pleasure. He is another precious gift from God. He is handsome, funny, sweet, and athletic. Somedays I do not think I deserved these gifts, but I am truly thankful that He gave them to me. 

I would also like to give special thanks to my mom who taught me how to be a mom, and still on those bad days will listen to me complain about all the things I am frustrated with. She is my mom and my best friend. Not a day goes by that I do not call my mom.  She has been a great example and continues to teach me things everyday. I just hope that when Kait grows up she will need me and want me around as much as I do my mom. So...Mom Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do. I Love You.

JACK'S SCHOOL PROGRAM

Jack had his last program at Building Blocks last Monday. This is a picture of him and his "girlfriend" Sydney. I have to say they are too cute. Who knows maybe one day, and the good thing is I like her parents!! Anyway he sang his best and then we went to class to see all of his artwork. The teachers had made picture books for each child in the class, and the last page is a sheet of questions that said "according to Jack." It was so funny to see his Answers. According to Jack...You have to be 11 to drive, I am 12 years old (just made the driving cutoff :)), Kris is 16, and to save our planet he is going to "go to the moon and stop the bombs." I love the little things like this they are always nice to look back on, and they always make you smile. My baby is growing up so fast. Kaitlyn is now to tall for me to fix her hair standing she has to sit down, and Jack likes to tell everyone "I am almost as tall as my mom's boobs :)" I really like that when he says it to complete strangers. Ahh the joys of motherhood. Below is Jack singing with his class.